Best Modern Metal Guitarists

This list is for the best MODERN metal guitarists. Bands that formed after 1990 and are still around today, making albums.

The Contenders: Page 2

21Richard Z. Kruspe, Rammstein

He is not typical modern guitarist - he has no knowledge about playing technics or well known solo scales. But he has great precision in playing riffs! Also, he is a great composer, his guitar sound is outstanding...

Yeah, I know, his riffs often only contain two notes, but in other songs he shows definite musical ability.

Great guitarist! His solos are amazing!

22Thomas Erak, The Fall of Troy

He plays some fast licks. And he sings while he does it!

The Les Claypool of guitar.

23Virus, Dope

He's the most amazing guitarist. Every time he picks up a guitar he puts everyone else to shame. He can play everything and anything without practice. The man is just a genius.

His personality is totally expressed through his playing. Especially when you listen to all the music he has recorded, he is a total package guitarist outside of Dope!!

Virus deserves this spot more than anyone else. I mean come on have you seen him perform on broadway "Rock Of Ages". He's AMAZING!

Is this really a competition?! Hands down Virus should win this thing. His talent oozes out of his pores. He is a very underused talent

25Brent Hinds, MastodonBrent Hinds is an American guitarist/singer best known as a member of the Atlanta, Georgia metal band Mastodon, in which he shares guitar duties with Bill Kelliher and vocal duties with Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor.

26Mark Morton, Lamb of God

Not only is a humble great man. He has so much soul. Such a great improviser. The beginning to "grace" is the most beautiful soothing guitar play I could fall asleep to. I love mark

Mark is one of the greatest metal guitarists the world has ever seen. he covers everything in guitar to the fullest. He should be number one.

27Tosin Abasi, Animals as Leaders

Incredible prog metal guitarist, blends a whole bunch of different influences into a really unique sound plus jaw dropping technical chops. This guy is criminally low in this list.

So, whoever comes to vote on this list clearly doesn't actually play metal guitar... You'd be hard pressed to find a metal guitarist in this day and age who doesn't know who Tosin Abasi is...

All the guitarists before him on this list are great... don't get me wrong. But Tosin is on a completely different level!

How in the world is this guy not number one?! Top three at least for Abasi in my opinion

While his riffs are generally easy at this point, they are still great and define the band. He has also become great at solos.

29Jim RootJames Donald "Jim" Root, also known by his number #4, is an American musician known for being the rhythm/lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Slipknot, and the former lead guitarist for alternative metal band Stone Sour.

Jim is the lead guitarist of Slipknot and Stone Sour (first 5 albums) he did a collaboration song with John 5 called black Widow of la Porte

30Matt Heafy, TriviumMatthew "Matt" Kiichi Heafy is a Japanese-American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Orlando based Heavy Metal/Metalcore band Trivium.

Ey come on guys, matt heafy is skilled guitrist...

31Dan Donegan, DisturbedDan Donegan is an American musician and guitarist for heavy metal band Disturbed. Donegan began playing guitar as a teenager and eventually formed a band called Vandal, which was an 1980s-style hair band.

How in the hell is THE greatest guitarist in today's era in 30th place? This man should be in first!

He deserves to be much higher on the list - Ihategwyn310

He has the most wicked solos, I can't believe my eyes right now, how is he not firsf

32JB Brubaker, August Burns Red

Jb has created ridiculously beautiful solos in almost every abr songs. Hear them by yourself guys!

33Zacky VengeanceZachary James Baker, better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, and founding member for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Zacky V. also owns a small clothing company, Vengeance University.

Syn does deserve the top spot but without zacky syn isn't the best

34Corey Beaulieu, TriviumCorey King Beaulieu (Born November 22nd 1983) is an American musician and actor, known for being the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Heavy Metal band Trivium.

35Nick Hipa, As I Lay Dying

36Benjamin Burnley, Breaking BenjaminBenjamin Jackson Burnley IV is an American musician, composer, and producer, best known as the founder and frontman of the American rock band Breaking Benjamin.

37Brian "Head" Welch, KoRn

38Guthrie Govan

He is a modern day guitar god. His fluency is amazing and he's not just on auto-shred: he can slow down and express different emotions. He can play anything and his hands remain relaxed. Truly a great guitarist.

39Jacky Vincent

I think Jacky Vincent is awesome he is the best at sweep picking and economy picking